Our most popular workshop and an excellent place to start if you're new to bicycle repair and maintenance. Learn about the essential parts of your bike and how to keep them in tip top shape to build confidence and save money. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes to work on, though we can provide a bike if you prefer. This hands-on course covers:

-removing front and rear wheels

-tires, tubes, focussing on flats and how to prevent and repair them

-drivetrain cleaning and lubrication

-basic brake and gear shift adjustments

-general preventative maintenance

Cost: $50 with a $10 member discount. Look up your membership status to get your discount code.

We offer a range of Bike 201 courses, each providing an in-depth examination of one of the bicycle's different core systems.

All 201 courses are intermediate. You don't need to be an expert with bikes or tools, but you should be familiar with the use of common bike tools, and the basic mechanical operation of bikes. If you're new to bike repair, we strongly recommend taking Bike Repair 101 first to get the most out of these courses.

Cost: $65 with a $10 member discount. Look up your membership status to get your discount code.

Well maintained and adjusted brakes make for a safe, efficient bike ride. Whether you're replacing your brakes, or giving your bike a spring tune up, this course delivers essential mechanical training. You'll get hands-on experience adjusting disc, cantilever and 'v' brakes, plus a demonstration on bleeding hydraulic brakes. Bring your bike to learn about your own components, or work on one of our shop bikes. Please note that this class doesn't cover less common brake types (rod or coaster brakes, for example) or the replacement of hydraulic hoses.

You'll learn:

-the pros and cons of different brake types, and how they work

-the tools and techniques to repair brakes

-how to maintain, overhaul, and adjust your own brakes

-hydraulic brake principles, and how to successfully bleed and top up their fluid

-how to troubleshoot common problems to prevent damage and poor performance

-how and when to find replacement parts

Is sluggish shifting spoiling your ride? Does your chain often fall off for no clear reason? This course teach you to diagnose these types of problems, find the right replacement parts, and tune your derailleurs for optimum shifting! Bring your own bike and treat it to a shifting make-over and a new set of cables and housing.

You’ll learn:

-about many types of shifters and derailleurs, and how they work

-the tools and techniques required used to setup and adjust shifters and derailleurs

-how to install, align, and maintain common derailleurs, hangers, derailleur cables and housing

-how to select a derailleur that's compatible with your drivetrain

-how to troubleshoot, prevent and fix many shifting problems

Headsets and bottom brackets aren't the most glamorous of a bike's components, but they're as essential as tires and chains for safe and efficient cycling. The principles behind these elegant bearing mechanisms are repeated throughout your bike, and learning to maintain them is a perfect launching point to more advanced bicycle mechanics. Please note that this class will cover common cup and cone adjustable bearings and cartridge bottom brackets, but not the latest press-fit bottom brackets, nor old style cottered cranks and spindles.

You’ll learn:

-about different types of headsets and bottom brackets and how they work

-the tools and techniques needed to work on headsets and bottom brackets

-how to maintain, overhaul, and adjust headsets and bottom brackets

-how to identify, repair and prevent a wide range of potential problems,

-when replacement parts are needed and how to choose correct ones

Wheel hubs are at the heart of every bicycle, and if they don't run smoothly, your bike won't either. Bring your own wheel (or your whole bike) and treat it to new grease and bearings while learning how to overhaul and adjust hubs. Shop wheels are also available to work on, if you prefer. Please note cartridge bearings are not covered.

You’ll learn:

-about different types of hubs and wheels and how they work

-the tools and techniques required to work on hubs

-how to maintain and overhaul common ball bearing hubs

-a quick demonstration of the basics of wheel truing

-cassette and freewheel removal and installation

-troubleshooting, fixing and preventing common wheel and hub problems

Looking for a private group or solo course? Want to make a deep dive into a more specialized repair skill? We can often provide customized private courses to meet your specific needs. Our capacity is limited by instructor and shop availability, so please provide as much advance notice as possible when making a request.

The first step in requesting a private course is filling out our Private Course Request Form. Contact our course administrator if you have any additional questions.